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For the first time in program history, the UCLA Bruins are the national champions in women’s basketball.
The Bruins beat the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Dawn Staley-led team that had reached the national title game three straight seasons and won it in 2024, in dominating fashion, 79-51.
Staley’s team didn’t look like the one against UConn in the Final Four, as they couldn’t figure things out offensively. Much of this was due to the UCLA defense being stifled, but the Bruins didn’t have the same issues when they had the ball in their hands.
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The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team huddles before the NCAA women’s championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona on April 4, 2026. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
By the end of the third quarter, the Bruins had a whopping 29-point lead over the Gamecocks, 61-32, as UCLA limited South Carolina to just 24 percent shooting from the floor, compared to 43 percent.
In the end, UCLA made 43% of its shots to South Carolina’s 29%, which is always the goal for a team looking to win a title.
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It’s been a long time coming for Close, who has led the Bruins since the 2011-12 season. Last season was the first time UCLA made the Final Four of the NCAA women’s tournament as a program, although it fell to the UConn Huskies, 85-51.
Kiki Rice of the UCLA Bruins reacts after making a three-pointer against the South Carolina Gamecocks late in the first quarter of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
This time, it was the Bruins who got the job done against Texas, 51-44, to secure a national title berth. Of course, it wasn’t expected to be an easy feat against the Gamecocks, who took on UConn, 62-48, resulting in a now-viral exchange between Staley and Geno Auriemma at midcourt.
However, Close has the right formula, and the Bruins executed it wonderfully on Sunday afternoon to be crowned champions.
All five of Close’s starters finished the game with double-digit points, with Gabriela Jaquez, the sister of former Bruins men’s basketball star and current Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez, leading the charge with 21 on 8-of-14 shooting. She also finished with a double-double after pulling down 10 rebounds.
Lauren Betts of the UCLA Bruins and Maryam Dauda of the South Carolina Gamecocks compete for position during the first quarter of the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Lauren Betts also had a double-double, finishing the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens (15 points, four assists), Charlisse Leger-Walker (10 points, four rebounds) and Kiki Rice (10 points, six rebounds, five assists) helped the Bruins keep pace against the Gamecocks, who failed to bring the game closer.
